2A Division I, District 9 Preview

TATUM EAGLES
Enrollment: 421 (1)
2009 Record: 6-5 3A Div. 2 Bi-District Finalist
The Coach: Andy Evans
The Players: B.J. Allen (Sr., RB/LB), Brandon Woodard (Sr., RB/LB), Desmond Fite (Sr., WR/DB), Carl Watkins (Sr., RB/DB), Neil Harkless (Sr., WR/DB), Kendall Bell (Sr., WR/DB), Phoenix Malone (Sr., WR/FS), Cullen Stone (Sr., TE/DE), Hunter Liles (Sr., OL/LB), David Nelson (Sr., OL/DL), Jaylen Overstreet (Jr., QB/LB), Justin Farrell (Jr., OL), LaDerron Johnson (Jr., DE)
The Word: In 2010, the Tatum Eagles return to the 2A ranks once again. The last time the Eagles spent time in the 2A classification Coach Andy Evans’ club went 26-4 over a two year stretch, captured a state title and played for another. After going 11-11 over the last two seasons while playing in the 3A ranks, Eagles fans should be excited about the possibilities of competing in 2A. The Tatum faithful can also be excited by the fact that the Eagles return some key pieces on both sides of the ball. Tatum’s offense will feature one of the better runningback tandems in 2A. Runningback B.J. Allen rushed for more than 1700 yards in 2009 and has the potential to score every time he touches the ball. He will be joined in the backfield by Brandon Woodard who piled up more than 1200 yards, while missing two games due to injury. Fellow senior Carl Watkins should see some carries as well in the Eagles’ offense. Junior Jaylen Overstreet (6’3” 205) figures to take the majority of snaps at quarterback. But, senior Desmond Fite could see some time at quarterback as well, when he is not lined up at wide receiver. Kendall Bell should see action at wide receiver along with speedster Phoenix Malone. Senior David Nelson and junior Justin Farrell (6’6” 302) will help anchor a huge offensive line. On defense, Coach Evans would like to improve upon the 27 points a game his team surrendered last season. Defensive end Cullen Stone was first team all-district in 2009 and should help solidify the defensive line. Junior LaDerron Johnson (6’3” 220) will likely man the other defensive end position. Hunter Liles, another first team all-district performer, will help lead the linebacking unit. Malone is yet another playmaker on defense from his free safety position. Allen, Woodard and Overstreet will likely all see time on the defensive side of the ball as well. The Eagles also have a sure-footed kicker in Samuel Zapata. Tatum will have as much speed and athleticism as any 2A team in the state. If Coach Evans can fill some holes left by graduation, particularly in the offensive line, the Eagles could make a deep run in the playoffs.
JEFFERSON BULLDOGS
Enrollment: 349 (4)
2009 Record: 6-6 2A Div. 1 Area Finalist
The Coach: Scott Hale
The Players: Damon Gray (Sr., RB/DB), Darian Frierson (Sr., DB), Justin Rawls (Sr., LB), Willie McCoy (Sr., OL), Karter Tomlinson (Sr., FB/DE), Drew Tidwell (Sr., TE), John Cunningham (Sr., OL), James McTyre (Sr., OL), Jecho Armington (Sr., WR), Kevin Harris (Sr., LB), Keenon Marshall (Sr., DL), Paul Potts (Sr., DL), Bailey Fratangelo (Jr., QB), Joe Hale (Jr., OL), Dennis Wilson (Jr., DL)
The Word: Jefferson finished 6-6 in 2009 and nearly pulled off an upset over the Arp Tigers in the second round of the playoffs. Coach Scott Hale will have to figure out a way to replace the super talented trio of Clarence Lee (Baylor), Destin Mosley (Kansas State), and Trevor Murphy (Colorado State) who have all moved on to the next level. One thing Coach Hale will have to work with in 2010 is speed. And, as the old adage goes, speed kills. On offense, the speed will be provided by senior tailback Damon Gray (5’11” 180). Gray possesses game breaking ability and figures to carry much of the load for the Bulldog offense. Joining Gray in the offensive backfield will be junior quarterback Bailey Fratangelo and senior fullback Karter Tomlinson. The 6’2” Fratangelo has the athleticism to play at the next level. The offensive line should be a strength with big 6’4” 315 pound Willie McCoy and 6’3” 280 pound James McTyre at the tackles. Joe Hale, Zach Powell and John Cunningham will join McCoy and McTyre up front for the Bulldogs. Jecho Armington and James Cole will line up at receiver and provide targets for Fratangelo, while senior Drew Tidwell will start at tight end. Jefferson’s 5-2 defense was a strong point for the Bulldogs last season and could be a strength again. Senior linebackers Justin Rawls and Kevin Harris will be the heart and soul of the Bulldog defense. Rawls led the team in tackles last season. Dennis Wilson, Keenon Marshall and Paul Potts, who will form the interior of the defensive line, all have good size. Tomlinson will occupy one defensive end position, while sophomore Sadarius Figures will be asked to fill the other. In the secondary, Gray will join Darian Frierson at the corners with Deion Williams and Davonta Williams at the safety positions. All four members of the secondary are burners and Gray and Frierson are two of the more talented cornerbacks in the area. With 13 starters back, the Bulldogs have more than enough talent to challenge Tatum for the district title.
WHITE OAK ROUGHNECKS
Enrollment: 408 (2)
2009 Record: 9-2 2A Div. 1 Bi-District Finalist
The Coach: Tracy Blankenship
The Players: Ben Adams (Sr., OL), Taylor Goll (Sr., WR), Josh Lettow (Sr., DL), Jake Moyers (Sr., DB), Connor Sharp (Sr., QB/K), Cody Hall (Sr., OL), Randall Bernethy (Sr., OL), Dillon Bales (Sr., FB/LB), Tom McMahon (Sr., LB)
The Word: Since moving back to 2A before the 2008 season, Coach Tracy Blankenship’s club has gone 17-5 and made the playoffs two years in a row. However, the Roughnecks haven’t won a playoff game since 1998 and making the playoffs just got a whole lot more difficult now that the Roughnecks will be sharing a district with the likes of Tatum and Jefferson. To make matters worse, Coach Blankenship will have to find a replacement for standout runningback/linebacker Jackson McCurdy. Senior fullback Dillon Bales will likely be asked to fill a larger role in the Roughnecks’ run-oriented offense. But, Bales could be pushed for playing time by sophomore Jeffrey Davis. Meanwhile, Connor Sharp returns at quarterback to operate White Oak’s “wing T” offense. Offensive tackle Ben Adams is a stalwart on the offensive line. The 6’4” 270 pound Adams is garnering attention from the likes of TCU and Baylor. Adams will be joined up front by Cody Hall and Randall Bernethy. Senior wide receiver Taylor Goll (6’4” 190) will give the Roughnecks a play maker on the outside. On defense, senior linebacker Tom McMahon will be asked to fill the void left by the departure of all-state linebacker Adam Thompson. All-district defensive lineman Josh Lettow returns to anchor the defensive line. And, defensive backs Goll and Jake Moyers will occupy the secondary for Coach Blankenship. White Oak will have to fill some holes left by graduation. But, with 8 starters returning there are still enough pieces in place for the Roughnecks to compete for a playoff spot.
NEW DIANA EAGLES
Enrollment: 316 (6)
2009 Record: 7-3
The Coach: Roger Adams
The Players: Jacob Witt (Sr., OL/DL), Cody Belt (Sr., TE/LB), Beau Brewer (Sr., RB/DB), Dee Newsome (Sr., WR/DE), Connor Hounsel (Sr., WR/DB), Darrell Wise (Sr., RB/LB), Brian Bouzek (Sr., OL/DL), Travasil Dumas (Sr., OL/DL), Antonio Barron (Jr., RB/LB), Dustin Whitley (Jr., OL/LB), Trent Davis (So., OL/DL)
The Word: New Diana finished the season at 7-3 and got bounced in the first round of the playoffs by eventual state champ Daingerfield. The Eagles’ two regular season losses came by a combined 3 points (14-13 to Elysian Fields and 55-53 to White Oak). Coach Roger Adams will look to runningback Beau Brewer (5’9” 180) to provide the Eagles with a spark on the offensive side of the ball. Offensive lineman Jacob Witt will provide the space for Brewer to maneuver. At 6’3” and 275 pounds, Witt has good size. Joining Witt on the offensive line will be seniors Brian Bouzek and Travasil Dumas. Junior Dustin Whitely and sophomore Trent Davis should contribute up front for the Eagles as well. Meanwhile, talented tight end Cody Belt (6’2” 230) is back for his senior campaign. The Eagles will be led on defense by defensive backs Brewer and Connor Hounsel. Brewer tallied 132 tackles a year ago. Expect Witt to pull double duty and hold down a spot on the defensive line along side defensive end Dee Newsome. And, Belt should fill a linebacker spot for Coach Adams’ squad. New Diana will be much less experienced in 2010 and might find it difficult to improve upon the seven wins they had last season. But with a hand full of starters back on each side of the ball, the Eagles will be fighting for a playoff spot in their new district. New Diana’s playoff hopes may hinge on an October 8th showdown with Whiteoak.
HARMONY EAGLES
Enrollment: 332 (5)
2009 Record: 7-3
The Coach: Tim Russell
The Players: Luke Laminack (Sr., RB/DB), Eric Whittemore (Sr., OL/DL), Cody Weems (Sr., OL/DL), Chris Burris (Sr., WR/DB), Thomas Green (Sr., WR/DB), Thomas Muhlbach (Sr., WR/DB), Hunter King (Sr., WR/DL), Max Busse (Sr., WR/DE), B.J. Moses (Sr., OL/DL), Andrew Conway (Sr., OL/DL), Raymond Denton (Sr., OL/DL), Wesley Schoon (Jr., QB/DB), Casey Whittemore (Jr., OL/DL), Charlie Moler (Jr., TE/LB)
The Word: The Harmony Eagles spent much of the 2009 season as one of the favorites to win their district. But, an early district loss to New Diana and a second district loss to rival Harleton in the final game of the season left the Eagles out of the playoffs. Coach Shane Wilson will have to say goodbye to a large class of seniors and find a way to replace his quarterback and his leading tackler from last season. One positive for the Eagles is the return of leading rusher Luke Laminack (5’10” 175) who racked up more than 1000 yards in 2009. Junior Wesley Schoon will likely take over the quarterbacking duties for the Eagles. Seniors Eric Whittemore, Cody Weems, B.J. Moses, Andrew Conway and Raymond Denton all figure to contribute on the offensive line. Whittemore will lead the defensive line as well, along with defensive end Max Busse. With only 4 starters returning, Harmony will need several young players to step up and fill the holes left by the departure of 18 seniors. The Eagles may go through some growing pains in 2010.
SABINE CARDINALS
Enrollment: 377.5 (3)
2009 Record: 3-7
The Coach: Jerry Baker
The Players: Shane Lewis (Sr., WR/DE), Caleb Moyers (Sr., QB/DB), Kendrick Chumley (Sr., WR/DB), Zach Brown (Sr., WR/DB), Wes Eaton (Sr., WR/LB), Phadarian Harper (Sr., WR/DB), Josh Gibbs (Sr., WR/DB), Austin Sinclair (Sr., WR/DB), Jonathan Rucker (Sr., OL/DL), Matthew Wright (Sr., OL/DL), Jordan Hagar (Sr., OL/DL), Kody Kent (Sr., OL/DL), Chris Pegues (Sr., OL/DL), Bryan Chumley (So., RB)
The Word: While Sabine only managed three wins in 2009, the Cardinals have actually improved their win total each of the last three years (0-10 in 2006, 1-9 in 2007, 2-8 in 2008, and 3-7 in 2009). And, the three wins are the most since 2002. Still, it has been 25 years since the Cardinals have been to the playoffs and Sabine has never won a playoff game. However, it appears Coach Jerry Baker has Sabine going in the right direction. If the improvement is to continue the Cardinals will have to upgrade an offense that averaged only 15 points a game last season. Sophomore Bryan Chumley is the leading rusher for the Cardinals. Meanwhile, seniors Shane Lewis, Caleb Moyers, Kendrick Chumley, Zach Brown and Wes Eaton will all be asked to contribute as play makers in the Sabine offense. On the offensive line, Jonathan Rucker, Matthew Wright, Jordan Hagar, Kody Kent and Chris Pegues will try to pave the way for the Cardinals. The defense returns 6 starters and will be led by linebackers Tevin Alexander (65 tackles) and Wes Eaton. If the upward trend continues for the Cardinals, expect four wins in 2010.